As we say goodbye to 2021 and Greetings and Blessings to 2022, let us be grateful for all that is, in spite of it all. It is, and has been, a trying time to put it mildly. It is a Time of Tumult, arguably more tumultuous that any. Yet, I remind myself that, this too shall pass. We will get through this, in spite of it all.

We continue our congregational commitment to follow the science, to root our decisions in the values of consent and inclusion, to go slow and to be flexible and to be as realistic as we can with our expectations of ourselves and others as we navigate the Covid-19 pandemic and all its ever-developing tendrils. Our Unitarian Universalist guidance states, “this pandemic teaches us that our actions directly impact the health and well-being of our neighbors and so it is imperative that we make choices that keep our congregations and larger community safer.”

We shall continue to examine, to question our world and its treatment of its inhabitants-all its inhabitants. We will challenge the current worldview and ask ourselves why is the world this way? The world as you think it is may not be the world as it is.

I am especially looking forward to delivering an upcoming January worship service entitled “Exploring Indigenous Spirituality,” a special talk co-led with Barbara Warren. The two of us will present insights, learnings and experiences related to Native American and African spirituality. Can these ancient wisdom traditions have any solace and wisdom for us during these times? Come and explore with us during our January 16th worship service together.

I mentioned in my last Minister’s Message, that I sometimes describe this Holiday Season as a time when it is okay to be human, to speak openly and first to so-called strangers, to smile for no reason, to know that I and you are not alone and that we matter to one another in myriad ways. Do we dare to be so bold, so human?

The Lakota Elder Black Elk reminds us that “the first peace, which is the most important, is that which comes within the souls of people when they realize their relationship…. it is within each of us.

And speaking of Peace….

That Nameless One with So many Names

Just for fun, and to have a spiritual fling
Let’s take a peek at chapter one
Of the Tao Te Ching.
Lao Tzu made it crystal clear:
“The Tao that can be told
is not the Eternal Tao.”
That Nameless One
we have given so many names:
Allah, Jehovah, Buddha, Amen-Ra,
El Ptah, Jah, Shiva.
Isis, Moses, Jesus.
Call it what you will
Spirit says, Please…
Peace Be Still….

Rev. Anthony Mtuaswa Johnson